‘Exactly Where I Need to Be’: DMX Quote Echoes Bieber’s Own Journey

Justin Bieber has found a way to make headlines in the public eye about drug use, sobriety, and freedom without uttering a single word. The singer posted a video on Instagram Sunday without a caption from the account of Gassy, a Los Angeles-based marijuana dispensary. It’s a brief clip of rapper DMX from a 2013 episode of Iyanla: Fix My Life, the spiritual life-coaching series starring Iyanla Vanzant.

The exchange is about two minutes, and already, people are curious as to why Bieber posted it. At the center of the interview is the concept of sobriety for DMX and what he hopes to gain from it. Iyanla poses the question directly to the rapper, “DMX, do you want to be a clean man?” His response is, “No weed, no drinking, nothing? Why would I?” And, when Iyanla explained that sobriety would lead to him being a clear, pure vessel for the voice of God, he said, “I think I’m exactly where I need to be with God.”

The post is currently showing more than 100,000 likes, and viewers have been quick to add their two cents. The post is part of a two-week-long series titled “Mind Reset” — it’s safe to assume Bieber may have something on his mind that he wants to reset. As far as the quote, many fans have come to the defense of Bieber, while others are questioning where he stands in his spiritual walk in life.

Justin Bieber Speaks on His Faith, Family, and Shift in Focus

Justin Bieber has been very open about his spirituality and faith throughout his entire career. He’s been known to be a devout Christian and has a strong history and relationship with Churchome pastor Judah Smith. As Bieber has matured from a young teen heartthrob to more of a reformed “adult” artist, husband, and now a father, his faith has been a core part of his identity. He’s quick to give God all the credit and praise for keeping him on a straight path.

The couple welcomed their first son, Jack Blues Bieber, almost a year ago. The couple hasn’t been as public with their family life as one might expect, but from what has been shared, fans can tell that this is a big source of joy and pride for the couple. His representatives have told the press in recent interviews that the singer has had a large shift in his priorities since he became a father.

He and Hailey Bieber welcomed the world to their first child together almost a year ago, on April 9, 2023. While some fans have expressed concern for Bieber over the last few months about his weight and potential drug abuse after a few social media posts that included him with a bong in hand and smoke in the air, his team has refuted those statements in more recent interviews.

A representative for the singer has cleared up this myth over the last few months, telling TMZ in February that, “The recurring narrative that Justin is using hard drugs is not true. If anyone is in any doubt about this, they should check with his medical team. Justin is actually in one of the best places in his life, surrounded by his family and friends, he is focused on his music and cutting ties with people and business relationships that are not a good fit for him anymore.”

It should also be noted that marijuana is legal for recreational use in California, where the couple resides. Though photos of him with a bong have fans raising their eyebrows, they don’t reflect any illegal activity — only personal decision-making and prioritization.

Album and Tour Possibilities for Bieber Loom

The Instagram post from Bieber is one for the books because of all of the added drama from rumors and tabloid posts circling for months now about his behavior and potential drug use. Just two weeks ago, he dropped his seventh album, Swag. It was well-received by critics and listeners, who reported that the album had a mixture of his more vulnerable side with some self-love mixed in. But he also threw in a handful of comedic breaks throughout the album in which he spoke to internet comedian Druski.

These short skits sound like therapy sessions where Bieber is asked to answer questions about his life, his mental health, and how he processes fame and its resulting weight that comes with it. These episodes range from genuine and light-hearted banter to extremely personal digs and questions he might be wrestling with. Songs on the album included some addressing Bieber’s past mistakes, as well as his love for his wife and his role as a father.

Fans have been left wondering about a potential tour to follow up the well-received Swag album. Some are guessing an Australian tour is in the works, but neither Bieber nor Frontier Touring has denied this at this point. Rolling Stone reached out for comment, and the Australian-based touring company Frontier Touring shared with the publication that it currently has “no information” available about any dates.

The comments from Frontier Touring have left fans in a lurch. This is because Bieber had to cancel the remainder of his Justice World Tour back in 2022 after he was hospitalized due to an unknown ailment. A tour announcement would almost guarantee a tour comeback in 2024 and a new chapter for the singer and his career.

Right now, it seems that Bieber has a good head on his shoulders, is happy in his home life with his wife and son, and has been pouring into music that expresses his current walk in life as well as his creative mind. Whether Bieber was throwing shade, wanted to make a statement, or posted it because he truly liked what he heard, it got some eyes.